Football report: QB depth has West Orange up in quality arms

West Orange gained junior QB Woody Barrett via transfer from Evans, where he started as a sophomore.

But he got a late start and still is learning the offense.

Gunnar Ballant, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound senior, is the first-team QB with a week to go before the Warriors play their Kickoff Classic at Lake City Columbia. Ballant played on the defensive line and some H-back and was the backup QB as a versatile utility player last season

"Gunnar is a good athlete who knows the system and is really good at reading the defense and picking up coverages," West Orange coach Bob Head said. "We'll have a package for Woody. He can really run the ball well, and he's got a strong arm. It's going to take a little time for him."

Buddy Collings

Evans

The Trojans have had no choice but to keep things simple. With junior LB Sean Forehand and senior K Alberto Escobedo as the only returning starters, Evans will field an almost entirely new lineup this fall.

"Learning a whole new system is tough," coach Richard Turner said. "Adjusting to all the new terminology on offense and defense, right now it seems overwhelming sometimes. As the year progresses, we can add more and more to [the] offense and defense."

Some Trojans have shown promise.

Sophomore QB Kimani Binder (6-2, 170) has shown good decision-making and a strong arm. Junior RB Shannon Brown could be a standout, running for more than 100 yards in the Trojans' spring game against Largo Pinellas Park.

Alicia DelGallo

Eustis

Coach Mike Hay just finished speaking about sophomore QB Donta Purdue's potential when Purdue stepped into the pocket and fired a pass over the middle for a 20-yard reception during Friday afternoon's scrimmage. He fit the ball perfectly between defenders.

"Donta has all the potential in the world," Hay said. "You look at his learning curve from last year to this year. If he continues to make that kind of progress each year, he will be one of the best we have had."